Low Vitamin D Hastens Death Among Seniors

Older people with low blood levels of vitamin D seem to die earlier than their peers with normal levels of this vitamin. The study included more than 2,500 African-American and Caucasian elders between 70 and 79 years old. Blood levels of vitamin D were determined at the beginning of the study, and approximately one-third of them had vitamin D insufficiency. Follow-up interviews were conducted every six months for more than 8 years. During the study, seniors with low vitamin D levels [under 30 nanograms/ml] were 50 percent more likely to die from any cause. The researchers suggest that this should become a focus of public health concern. [Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nov, 2012]

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4 Thoughts Shared

jf

October 8, 2012 at 8:26 pm

RGW

October 7, 2012 at 12:07 pm

Blood test results from my last annual physical showed that my vitamine D count was low. I am outside in the sun a lot here in hot and very sunny Louisiana. I usually wear a short sleeve T type shirt and no hat. Being told my level of vitamine D was low was a big surprise to me. Do we lose the ability to absorb vitamine D from the sun as we get older? I now take 1000 i.u. of D3 daily.

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